Ryan’s story
Ryan was one of the first Alabaré Homes for Veterans participants to register for Boots on the Ground North Wales three years ago. Suffering from chronic social anxiety, he struggled to engage, but from small-scale garden sessions and local walks, he is now leading walks and organising surveys.
“I don’t usually go out much due to social anxiety, but Boots on the Ground allows me to meet new people in a comfortable environment. It helps me to stay active and learn a lot about things that interest me. It helps me to interact with people and pursue my interests which will hopefully lead to employment soon.”
As Ryan gradually became more involved across sessions, he discovered a real connection with the outdoors and has developed relationships within the group and beyond to wider communities. He was especially interested in conservation and keen to learn more. He has built excellent relationships with a variety of wardens and officers across the environmental sector.
Stepping out of his comfort zone to ask questions and develop skills and knowledge, he is now able to share what he has learned with new participants. Along with six other long-term participants, Ryan has become a peer leader in the group. As such, he and the others have received navigation and mountain skills training to equip them better to plan and lead walks with the support of the project manager.
More recently, he has been co-ordinating independent shark egg surveys between our Wildlife Trust-led sessions. As a result, the trust has invited Ryan to support officers in a shoreline awareness-raising session for the public. He is now in the process of becoming an official Buddy to Buddy and aspires to find work supporting conservation projects locally. In recognition of Ryan’s achievements, he was selected to volunteer in Gibraltar alongside other Alabaré residents from across the organisation.
How you can help
Like to get more involved with our work? We can’t do what we do without our supporters and fundraisers, whether that is running a fundraising event or taking part in one of our public events, or whether it is by volunteering your time and working alongside our clients. Please get in touch to find out how to be involved.
Donate
We rely on donations to continue our life-changing work providing care and support to homeless adults, young people, veterans and those with learning disabilities. Your generosity changes lives.
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Sponsor a room
Your donation will give someone who is homeless and vulnerable a warm, safe place to call home. Your generosity will not only help provide accommodation and support but also training and life skills.
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Fundraising
Our fantastic supporters put on all kinds of events and undertake incredible charity challenges, from quiz nights to raffles, from walks to Atlantic crossings – the more creative, the better!
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